Reality Bites

By Jason Stone

Truly, reality is a difficult undertaking. The process of life does often turn out to be quite the box of chocolates. However, the subject of this writing deals not with the monotony of everyday life, but the reality of entertainment. What form of entertainment might I speak of? I speak of none other than the realest of television shows. I speak of reality TV.

Yes! The best of the best -reality TV. Today this brand of real life entertainment is unmatched in the department of ratings. Not only that, but it is the hottest topic of conversation. People love these real life dramas, anticipating the twist of events in each new episode. The only question I have is "what is wrong with you people?"

This story originates back a couple of months to the time when the Cardinals were still in playoff contention. I'm unsure of the exact game, but hey, I missed most of it anyway. Being the avid baseball fan that I am, you might wonder why I wasn't tuned in. The answer is quite simple. I couldn't watch because of the all-important episode of "Love Cruise." Yes, I was forced to watch the whole episode of CRAP. It wasn't all about baseball, or St. Louis. It was about the meaningless existence of anyone who can sit through this programming without becoming ill.

As I remember it began with MTV's "The Real World." What a great show -a whole half-hour dedicated to watching people argue about whose turn it was to do the dishes. I've got a solution. People should come to my house. Screw the cable bill, just stand in my kitchen and watch the tempers flare. It was bad then, and it is even worse now. Do people not have enough turmoil in there own lives, without living out other people's problems? Seriously, what is the interest in these shows?

Now we come to Temptation 2, the most daring of reality TV. Now let me get this straight - you go to the island, hot people flirt with you, and you decide if you're truly in love. Sounds like a night at the Crackle. Well, maybe the people aren't as attractive at the Crackle. But truly, leave your house every now and then, and you might find that reality TV ain't so real after-all. In the reality where I reside, there are no coconut-flavored drinks by the hot tub. Instead, I spend my days listening to B.S. at school, and then I go to work. Hey, the rent doesn't pay itself.

I suppose I've just made several enemies. Sorry to insult anyone, but I had to speak my mind. I'm usually not a bitter person, although some things rub me the wrong way. Maybe I'm closed-minded, or maybe you agreed with my every word. None-the-less I call em as I see em, and that's what I see.